HomeArticles7 Ways To Get Your Cat To Drink More...

7 Ways To Get Your Cat To Drink More Water

Hydration plays a key role in how your kitty’s vital organs function. Cats who don’t drink enough water are at risk for serious health issues including urinary tract infections and kidney disease.

Read our recent article 6 Signs Your Cat Needs to Drink More Water, then incorporate these tips into your home to keep your cat healthy and hydrated.

2985644768_62757221e4_z

Image Source: Michael Carian via Flickr.com

1. Refresh Often

Cats will often avoid drinking from a water bowl if the water is stagnant or old. If there is dust gathering on the top, remnants of food at the bottom, or a layer of slime around the edge, she may regard it as a threat to her health (and rightfully so). Make it a habit to clean her bowl and refresh her water every day.

81KkFfHGbnL._SL1500_

Image Source: PetSafe via Amazon.com

2. Water Fountain

If you can’t refresh her water fast enough for her taste, consider adding a fountain or two to your home, which will keep her water fresh and flowing with minimal effort on your part.

4691868339_619e292a65_z

Image Source: jahofker via Flickr.com

3. Improve Location

Because of the risk of contamination, many cats will avoid drinking water that is set too closely to a food bowl. Try relocating your cat’s water bowl to the opposite side of the room from her food dish, or in another room altogether.

4349636936_743e17580a_z

Image Source: Jon Ross via Flickr.com

4. Add More Locations

Adding multiple watering hole locations can be very helpful in several situations

  • Does your household have multiple cats? Not having enough resources to go around can cause tension in your home and can result in some cats avoiding resources such as a water bowl or litter box out of fear of being bullied or ambushed. This tension can be very subtle and you may not even notice it’s happening. To avoid this, simply add more water bowls in different locations throughout your home.
  • Is your cat old or have mobility issues? If walking is painful or daunting for your cat, she may have a hard time drinking enough water if she knows she’ll have to walk to the other end of your home to access it. Try putting a water dish near her favorite perch and adding water bowls in several locations so there’s always one close by.
  • Is your home more than one floor or very large? Your cat may not be drinking enough water if he has to go out of his way to seek it out. Adding water bowls to each floor and each side of your home can help.

231167554_e63018a4eb_z

Image Source: Bart Everson via Flickr.com

5. Change the Type of Bowl

Cats are very picky when it comes to bowls. If your cat isn’t drinking a sufficient amount of water, experiment with different types of bowls to see if she has a preference. Think about different materials (glass, metal, ceramic, etc.) as well as depth. A cat’s whiskers are sensitive and some cats will avoid a dish if their whiskers touch the side while they drink.

If your cat is prone to drinking out of your own water glass you can also take hints and leave a glass or two around just for him.

6. Try A Fun, Refreshing Ice Ball

This video of cats licking an ice ball has been making the rounds on social media sites. It’s a great way to add a bit of fun to your cat’s routine while encouraging her to drink more water. This is also a great way to keep your cat cool in the summer months.

7. Add More Wet Food

Wet food obviously has more water content than dry kibble, and adding more wet food to your cat’s diet can be a simple way to help her consume more water.
shutterstock 170603081

 

Kelli Brinegar
Kelli Brinegar
To say Kelli loves cats is an understatement. Ever since her parents put a cat in her crib, the feline kind have been her best friends. Now, she loves to hang out at home with her kitty clowder while reading, writing, and doing her best to keep her house plants alive.